The BBC Doctor Who Website has released a new promotional image for Series 7 of Doctor Who.

The image shows Amy Pond being carried by an injured, grim-faced Doctor. They’re both surrounded by Daleks that have been encountered during different eras of the Time Lord’s travels.

A Dalek on the right of the picture does not have any of the vertical grille-like slats that have become a familiar feature, indicating it’s a version the Doctor faced when he first met his oldest enemies on Skaro. And on the left there’s a Special Weapons Dalek, last seen in the 1988 story, Remembrance of the Daleks.

It’s a fiery and exciting sign of what’s to come in the new series!

[Source: BBC Doctor Who Website]

The Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff opened its doors today, and DWO's Will Brooks was there to report on the event.

This reporter visited the Doctor Who Experience - billed as an ‘interactive journey’ and a ‘spectacular adventure through time and space’ - during its stay in London last year, but I’ve been chomping at the bit to take a look inside its brand new home at Porth Teigr in Cardiff; right next door to the Doctor Who Studios. 

Housed in a specially constructed building - TARDIS blue, of course - the experience is set to stay in Cardiff for the next five years, meaning you’ve got plenty of chances to come down and meet the monsters. 

While outside, the waiting crowds are kept entertained by Daleks, Cybermen and Silents, Doctor Who Online has been given special access to all the exhibits - a real chance to get ‘up close’ to some of The Doctor’s greatest foes. 

The Experience, much like it’s previous incarnation at the Olympia in London, is comprised of two separate sections. The first is an interactive walk-through, which puts you at the heart of a Doctor Who adventure. Featuring specially filmed material of Matt Smith as The Doctor (who’s managed to get himself locked up in the Pandorica… again!), the half-hour journey sees you pilot the TARDIS, a fantastic replica of the TV series’ current console room, battle with Daleks, avoid the clutches of the Weeping Angels (absolutely no blinking allowed…) and more - which I’ll leave for you to find out! 

Obviously tailored toward it’s younger visitors, the interactive journey aspect of the Experience manages to walk that very specific line that the show itself pulls off - the kids will be enthralled, while us ‘older children’ will be loving the ride, too.

It was a bit of a shame too see that the walk-through hasn’t been changed since it’s London debut, as it’s very much written for a post-series 5 audience. That’s a minor quibble, though, and for people who didn’t visit the London version, it’s still going to be amazing. 

Where the Experience does cater for those of us who’ve been before is in the exhibition hall. Those who have visited the Experience before will recall a smallish section toward the end that housed several costumes and props from across the years. Now in its own purpose-built space, these items have real room to breathe.

The starting point being a display of all the eleven Doctor’s costumes should be a hint that you’re in for a real treat; the Experience makes no distinction between ‘classic’ and ‘new’ - it’s all just a part of Doctor Who. Given more space to breathe than was possible in London, the exhibits fill a huge space, and cover a real vast selection of things.  

Obvious ‘key’ areas are the Ninth and Tenth Doctor’s TARDIS console room - the original one - and also a console room for the Fifth Doctor, featuring the Five Doctors version of the console. You can get up close with the Eleventh Doctor’s TARDIS exterior, and they also have the Police Boxes from Tom Baker’s last season, and David Tennant’s run, too. While I was there, a screen above the 80s console was playing Timelash – say what you want, but I love that a whole audience are queuing up to see Colin’s Doctor! 

Upstairs is a whole new area of magic. You’ll find something to fascinate any fan of the show in here, from recent creations like Series 6’s Peg Dolls and Silents to The Giant Robot from Tom Baker’s debut, an Ice Warrior, a Zygon, the Empty Child and more. For a child discovering the classic series for the first time - this place is an absolute gold mine. It’s completely up to date, with the wooden king and queen from last year’s Christmas special happily throned in the centre of the large hall.

There’s plenty here that wasn’t on display in London - or at least wasn’t when I visited last July - which makes it possible to come back for a second visit if you’ve been before. Speaking with one of the – extremely friendly! – members of staff, they described it as ‘Doctor Who coming home’, and there really is a sense of that here.

After the Exhibition section, of course you’ve got a little shop! Filled to the rafters with Doctor Who goodies; this is the perfect chance to pick up DVD’s you’ve not seen, grab hold of the latest action figure, or get a commemorative T-Shirt.

So after all that, we’re just in time to head back outside - into sunshine! It’s a perfect day to open. The crowds are in high spirits - many in costume or waving sonic screwdrivers! There are people here who’ve come from all across the world – there’s fans from Australia, Canada, Scotland… and more than one or two from Wales!

Undaunted by looming Cybermen and Daleks, spirits really couldn’t be higher within the crowds. Anna (an English visitor!) said she’d been to the London version, "but there’s no way I was going to miss the opening of this one!"

11:30am, and it’s opening time. To cut the ribbon, three children have been selected from the waiting masses. All in costume, the ribbon is cut by a miniature Doctor (complete with fez!), and assisted by Amy Pond and a Blue Dalek!

I’ll leave them to it as the first group of ticket holders make their way into the big blue building - they’re off on the adventure of a lifetime, and they won’t be disappointed!  

The Doctor Who Experience really is a place any fan of the show has to visit. The perfect blending of the show’s current status with its rich and varied history alone makes it the best exhibition of its type ever held. Throw into that the interactive experience, the great atmosphere and the knowledge that just about a hundred feet away, they’re making actual, real Doctor Who for us to enjoy on TV next year… absolutely magical!

+ Get your tickets to the Doctor Who Experience via the official website.

** With thanks to BBC Worldwide for arranging everything for us.

[Sources: DWO; Will Brooks]

Character Options have sent DWO the details for their upcoming Electronic Sound FX Daleks.

The Daleks were created by the Kaled scientist, Davros as travel machines. He had deduced that the years of radiation and chemical poisoning from an ongoing war would lead his race to mutate into immobile organisms. The Dalek travel machines would house these creatures and allow the Kaleds to survive. However, in the course of his experiments, Davros deliberately removed what he considered to be debilitating emotions from the mutants and a force of evil was spawned!

The Daleks were born without any ability to feel compassion or pity and were motivated only by hate, fear and an implacable belief that they were the superior creatures in the Universe.

Recreate scenes from Doctor Who with these highly detailed 5" poseable Dalek action figures.

Featuring the following six Daleks, modelled accurately on some of the famous Daleks from past episodes. Bronze Dalek (2005), The Dalek Invasion of Earth (1964), Power of the Daleks (1966), Revelation of the Daleks (1985), Planet of the Daleks (1973) and Death to the Daleks (1974). Each Dalek includes sound FX and speech by era! Collect them all!. Six to Collect.

+  The Electronic Sound FX Daleks is released on 22nd August 2012, priced £14.99 each.

+  PREORDER all six Daleks from Forbidden Planet! for just £79.99 (RRP: £89.94).

[Source: Character Options]

The Daleks are back and Doctor Who's boss Steven Moffat is spilling the beans in DWM #447.

"We’re going to have the most Daleks we’ve had on screen ever – but they will be from every era, quite deliberately. We’re calling them in from everywhere! All of them! Even the Special Weapons Dalek. They'll all be there…" STEVEN MOFFAT talks in depth about his version of Doctor Who in an exclusive, revealing, in-depth, eight-page interview…

ALSO THIS ISSUE:

CONQUER AND DESTROY!

The Daleks are the most feared race of creatures in the entire universe and will stop at nothing to achieve their goal of total intergalactic domination. And they've concocted more than a few audacious schemes to achieve this aim – not all of which, it has to be said, have been entirely successful. JONATHAN MORRIS unearths the Daleks' own assessment of their successes and failures.

I AM NOT THE MOFF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR!

Doctor Who's commander-in-chief, Steven Moffat, writes exclusively for DWM in PRODUCTION NOTES! Find out what the Moff things of his nickname, how he's getting along (or not) with the script for the Christmas Special and what he had for lunch in New York! 

FAREWELL TO PHILIP

PHILIP MADOC, who played four notable roles in Doctor Who in the 60s and 70s – including the War Lord in The War Games and Doctor Mehendri Solon in The Brain of Morbius – passed away in March of this year, at the age of 77. Marcus Hearn takes a look back at the actor's distinguished career and at his contribution to Doctor Who.

END OF AN ERA

COUNTDOWN TO 50 continues its season-by-season analysis of Doctor Who, and the mood is sombre as we reach 1980/81 with Series 18 and bid farewell to Romana, K9 and, of course, Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor as he takes his fateful fall from the Pharos Project radio telescope.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Shopping can be dangerous to your health as Amy and Rory have found out when the Monos menace strikes London. Meanwhile, as the capital's inhabitants succumb to Monos mania, the Doctor and his new friend Bill discover the source of the trouble. Monos! Monos! Monos! It's the second instalment of STICKS & STONES, written by SCOTT GRAY with art by MARTIN GERAGHTY.

CHEMICAL REACTION!

The Third Doctor, Jo Grant and UNIT become involved in a green movement – in more ways than one – in a Welsh mining village. Giant maggots, toxic chemical waste, an insane super computer, a rather tasty fungus, and angry Welshmen – 1973's THE GREEN DEATH takes its turn under the microscope in THE FACT OF FICTION.

ALL BY MYSELF?

JOHNNY CANDON and TOBY HADOKE cross swords once again in their latest BATTLE OF WITS! This issue, the hot topic for debate has been inspired by the imminent departure of companions Amy and Rory: should the Doctor travel with a regular companion or is he better off alone? 

A SILVER SIDE-STEP

THE TIME TEAM has been upgraded to four pages this month as Chris, Emma, Will and Michael sit down to watch the Tenth Doctor, Rose and Mickey's battle with the Cybermen on a parallel Earth in the two-part story RISE OF THE CYBERMEN/THE AGE OF STEEL. 

OUT OF STOCK

A History of Doctor Who in 100 Objects reaches number 18 and finds The Watcher mourning the last use of film for a live action sequence in Doctor Who in The Serving Hatch of Rassilon. Plus the latest Top Ten Pop Acts, the challenge of The Six Faces of Delusion, the oh-so painful Stockbridge English Dictionary, the hapless Supporting Artist of the Month – all crammed onto one fabulous single page, it's WOTCHA!

PLUS! All the latest official news, TV and merchandise reviews, previews, competitions, a prize-winning crossword and much, much more!

+  Doctor Who Magazine Issue #447 is out on Thursday 3rd May 2012, priced £4.50.

+  SUBSCRIBE and get a FREE Doctor Who Audiobook, 1 x Special and Worldwide Shipping for £85 via CompareTheDalek.com!

+  Check Out DWO's Guide to every issue of Doctor Who Magazine!

[Source: Doctor Who Magazine]

Sunday 6th May sees Hampshire’s biggest Dalek event taking place at the Royal Marines Museum in Southsea. The event called ‘Dalek Invasion of Portsmouth’ will take place between 10am and 5pm and terror will give way to panic when visitors come face to face with the Daleks.

Visitors will be able to see the Daleks navigate through an obstacle race, interact with them during an ‘Audience with the Daleks’ show and watch the Dalek ‘X’ Terminate Factor show. Throughout the day visitors can also take part in a Dalek Hunt around the Museum, shop from a selection of Dr Who traders, have a souvenir photo taken with the Daleks or take part in the family craft activities and make your own Dalek.

Children are encouraged to come in sci-fi fancy dress and there will be a prize awarded for the best costume.

Tickets are available online at royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/daleks or through the Museum reception on 023 9281 9385.

Tickets cost £10 for adults, £5 for children under 12 and £3 for children under 5.

+  For more details see the website www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/daleks.

[Source: Royal Marines Museum]

The 3rd Doctor adventure, Death to the Daleks, is to be released on DVD this June.

The Tardis loses all power and crash lands on the planet Exxilon. The Doctor sets off for assistance but is captured by two natives. Sarah also leaves the Tardis and is taken by the hostile natives to their temple. The Doctor is rescued by an expedition from Earth who also crashed after losing power. They are on Exxion to mine the chemical parrinium needed to fight a deadly space plague.

Another craft crash lands nearby the expeditions makeshift HQ. It contains daleks whose weapons are also powerless. A truce is reached between the group when the hostile Exxilons take them all hostage. The Doctor saves Sarah from sacrifice but then both are sentenced to execution by a creature called a rute. The daleks are use machine guns as replacement weapons to take over.

The daleks get the humans to act as supervisors to the slave force of Exxilons to mine the parrinium and horde it so the humans have no cure for the plague. Bellal, the Doctor and Sarah's new Exxilon ally leads them to the sentient city, the reason for the massive power drain. 

The Doctor and Bellal must make it through the maze of traps within the city and stop it draining power so the Tardis can and the humans can leave. However the daleks are in pursuit so they can leave and the humans must stop them taking all the parrinium. 

Further details to be released soon...

+  Death to the Daleks is released on 18th June 2012, priced £20.42.

+  Compare Prices for this product on CompareTheDalek.com.

[Source: BBC Worldwide Consumer Products]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Doctor Who Toy.

The Chase Set features a Mechanoid and two Daleks (as seen in the Classic Series 1st Doctor adventure, The Chase).

From the classic story: 'The Chase', the Mechonoid figure is approximately 130mm high (160mm with the antenna extended) x 130mm wide. It features a swappable flame arm, flip-out claw arms and wheels. It is faced by the Daleks ready to do battle!

Contents:

1 x Mechonoid action figure with swappable flame weapon

2 x Daleks (The Chase) action figures

+  The Chase Set is released on 16th December 2011, priced £39.99.

+  Preorder this product from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

It is with deepest regret that DWO announces the passing of Classic Doctor Who Actor, Roy Skelton.

Roy is best known to Doctor Who fans for providing the voices of The Daleks in the Classic Series, as well as supporting roles:

The Ark (Monoid voices), The Tenth Planet (Cybermen voices), The Evil of the Daleks (Dalek voices), The Ice Warriors (Computer voice), The Wheel in Space (Cybermen voices), The Krotons (Kroton voices), Colony in Space (as Norton), Planet of the Daleks (Dalek voices and as Wester), The Green Death (as James), Genesis of the Daleks (Dalek voices), The Android Invasion (as Chedaki), The Hand of Fear (as King Rokon), Destiny of the Daleks (Dalek voices), The Five Doctors (Dalek voice), Revelation of the Daleks (Dalek voices), Remembrance of the Daleks (Dalek voices), The Curse of Fatal Death (Dalek voices).

Roy died after suffering a stroke and was 79 years of age.

DWO would like to extend our wishes to Roy's family and friends.

[Source: BBC News; TARDIS Wiki]

The Daleks are to be given "a rest" from battling Doctor Who, writer Steven Moffat has told the Radio Times.

Moffat, who is also the BBC television show's executive producer, said: "They aren't going to make an appearance for a while. We thought it was about time to give them a rest."

The Daleks were voted the scariest villains in the history of Doctor Who in a poll of fans in 2007.

Moffat said they had been defeated by the Doctor "about 400 times".

Created by Terry Nation, the Daleks are the Doctor's hugely popular enemies who have made regular appearances in the long-running science fiction show since first appearing in 1963.

Moffat said: "There's a problem with the Daleks. They are the most famous of the Doctor's adversaries and the most frequent, which means they are the most reliably defeatable enemies in the universe."

Recent episodes of the show, which stars Matt Smith as the timelord, have been criticised for being "too scary for children".

But Moffat said: "It is horror, but horror for children. It's scary in the way that a fairy story can be scary."

[Source: BBC News]

The Doctor Who Experience have recruited the Daleks in their latest promotional push for the fantastic Doctor Who exhibition.

In the first promotional image, a Dalek is seen crossing the road with a Dalek 'warning' sign in view. The second image alerts Max Hardy and his mother, Sophie, that they are walking past a Weeping Angel CCTV camera.

The Doctor Who Experience allows visitors to join the Doctor on a journey through time and space, encountering some of the best-loved and scariest monsters from the hit international television series. Special scenes filmed with current Doctor Matt Smith combine with amazing special effects and the chance to enter a recreation of the modern TARDIS interior topped off by a breathtaking 3-D finale. The walk through experience is a fully contained interactive Doctor Who adventure, which puts the public at the heart of the action. 

The exhibition element of the Doctor Who Experience charts the success of the show from the first series in 1963 to the most recent episodes starring Matt Smith and Karen Gillan.  Displays will include items never seen before including original costumes, the Tom Baker TARDIS police box and two authentic TARDIS sets from the eras of David Tennant and Peter Davison.  The public will also be able to get up close and personal with iconic sets from recent series, including the Pandorica Box and Chair and confront numerous monsters including several generations of the Daleks and Cybermen as well as Silurians an Ice Warrior and a Zygon.

Steven Moffat, Executive Producer and show runner for the hit television series comments:

"The Doctor Who Experience is a fan’s dream come true - a fully interactive adventure that will allow viewers of the show to get as close as possible to some of the scariest monsters from the series. It will also be the first time that Doctor Who artefacts from all the show's 47 year history - classic and new - will be on display together, many of them being seen for the first time. And never mind that, this is the day the Doctor teaches you how to fly the TARDIS through time and space, and takes you into battle with all his deadliest enemies in a brand new adventure.  So steady your nerves and bring your own sofa - the Doctor needs you!" 

Doctor Who star, Matt Smith, who has recorded a series of special, new scenes exclusive to the Doctor Who Experience comments:

“The whole concept of the Doctor Who Experience, which will give fans a chance to star in their very own Doctor Who adventure, is massively exciting! I hope as many people as possible enjoy boarding the TARDIS next year to embark upon an exhilarating and sometimes terrifying adventure through time and space.”

BBC Worldwide is pleased to announce that it is planning to relocate the Doctor Who Experience to a long term home in Cardiff in 2012.

[Source: Taylor Herring]

The guys from London's new Doctor Who Exhibition, The Doctor Who Experience, have been in touch with some new images from the event.

Image 1 – A team of technicians at the Doctor Who Experience showcase five generations of Cybermen heads. The evolution of the Cybermen forms part of The Doctor Who Experience – a fully interactive themed adventure and exhibition which opens at London’s Olympia Two venue on 20th February 2011.

Featured Cybermen models: (from left to right)1966 Cyberman from ’The Tenth Planet’, the 1967 Cyberman from ‘The Moonbase’, the 1975 Cyberleader from the ‘Revenge of the Cybermen’, the 1985 Cybercontroller from ‘Attack of the Cybermen’, and the 1988 Cyberman from ‘Silver Nemesis’ .

Image 2 – Technicians Steve Richley and Shane Winterbourne put the finishing touches to a 2005 model Dalek which forms part of a display at The Doctor Who Experience – a fully interactive themed adventure and exhibition which opens at London’s Olympia Two venue on 20th February 2011.

Image 3 - MacLaine Marshall, aged 6, encounters four generations of the Daleks during a sneak preview of The Doctor Who Experience – a fully interactive themed adventure and exhibition which opens at London’s Olympia Two venue on 20th February 2011.

Featured Daleks: (from left to right) the1984 Dalek from Resurrection of the Daleks, the 1988 Special Weapons Dalek, the 2005 lone Dalek encountered by ninth Doctor , and the new Dalek paradigm from 2010.

Image 4 - Exhibition worker, Samantha Crawford puts the finishing touches to the iconic 1974 Doctor Who Monster K1 which forms part of Doctor Who Experience – a fully interactive themed adventure and exhibition which opens at London’s Olympia Two venue on 20th February 2011.

Image 5 - Exhibition worker, Samantha Crawford puts the finishing touches to a 2005 model Dalek which forms part of a display at The Doctor Who Experience – a fully interactive themed adventure and exhibition which opens at London’s Olympia Two venue on 20th February 2011.

Image 6 - Evolution of the Cybermen exhibit taken from the The Doctor Who Experience – a fully interactive themed adventure and exhibition which opens at London’s Olympia Two venue on 20th February 2011.

Featured Cybermen models: (from left to right) 1966 Cyberman from ’The Tenth Planet’, the 1967 Cyberman from ‘The Moonbase’, the 1975 Cyberleader from the ‘Revenge of the Cybermen’, the 1985 Cybercontroller from ‘Attack of the Cybermen’, and the 1988 Cyberman from ‘Silver Nemesis’.

[Source: Taylor Herring PR]

Owning a life-size Dalek is now an option for any fan willing to part with £179.99.

Zappies is the exclusive UK distributor for the new range of battery operated 'Ride-In' Daleks, which will be available from June 2011.

Standing at 128cm tall, the Dalek includes 360 degree movement, 10 sounds and phrases, as well as lights inside the sitting unit.

Don't get too excited though... these toys are aimed at children between 3-6 years - not that it will stop most of us from trying it out, but bearing the RRP, it may be a costly mistake. :)

[Source: Zappies]

It's Christmas Eve! And DWO have one final present for all our visitors before the big day. With all the Christmas shopping now done, and all the Christmas cards posted, it leaves just enough time to make a simple sweet treat, with a Doctor Who twist.

Join Seb as he attempts to follow his wife's recipe making some Dalek Sugar Cookies:

[youtube:7Naa_jrUNkw]

Let us know what you thought of the video, by rating and leaving your comments on the DWO YouTube Channel.

[Source: Doctor Who Online]

Forbidden Planet have teamed up with Character Options for another Exclusive Action Figure set.

The Resurrection of the Daleks Set features The 5th Doctor with Davros and two Daleks from Resurrection of the Daleks.

The TARDIS, with the Fifth Doctor, Tegan and Turlough on board, becomes caught in a time corridor. Once freed it materialises in London in 1984 near the exit of the corridor. Upon investigating warehouses nearby, the travellers stumble upon a trap set for them by the Daleks!

The Resurrection of the Daleks Set is released January 2011, priced £34.99.

 Buy Now from Forbidden Planet!

[Source: Forbidden Planet]

BBC Worldwide has released the first two screenshots from their brand new self-published iPhone and iPad game Doctor Who: The Mazes Of Time. [pictured right]

Players will be able to swap between playing The Doctor and Amy during gameplay, which also appears to feature The Daleks (and people holding their hands up!).

The Mazes Of Time is developed by Tag Games and will be available in Early December, price TBA.

[Sources: Doctor Who Online; BBC Worldwide Games]

Character Options have announced single releases of the Dalek Paradigm Action Figures, due out later this month.

Many years ago, the Daleks sent out thousands of egg-shaped Progenitors containing the genetic coding of the race, so that new Daleks could be created whenever necessary.

One of these Progenitors was found in war-torn England during the Second World War and transported to a Dalek ship. However, because the Daleks that found it had been genetically modified by their creator Davros, using his own DNA, the Progenitor did not acknowledge them as pure Daleks, until the Doctor identified them as such and the Progenitor created a new race of powerful Daleks as a result.

These Daleks were led by the white-cased Supreme, and include the enigmatically titled yellow-cased Eternal, blue-cased Strategists, orange-cased Scientists and the red-cased Drones.

Collect all five of the supreme beings. Detailed 6-inch scale Dalek action figures. One Supplied. For ages 5 years and over.

 The Dalek Paradigm Action Figures are released Late November, priced £9.99 each.

 Order these Toys at Forbidden Planet, for just £8.99 each!

[Source: Character Options]

Manufacturer: BBC Books

Written By: Trevor Baxendale

RRP: £6.99

Release Date: 2nd April 2009

Reviewed by: James Sykes

Review Posted: 11th April 2010

It could be said that the New Series BBC novels have the tendency to be simpler, less engaging and frankly less enjoyable than the old ones. There are a few exceptions, however, and Prisoner of the Daleks is one of them. 

Trevor Baxendale, one of the strongest writers for Doctor Who novels, brilliantly captures the Doctor's character. You can always imagine Tennant saying the dialogue. He also turns one of the staple ingredients for these companion-less-stories on its head, in that the Doctor meets a would-be companion right away, but she is then promptly killed off, leaving him friendless with a group of bounty hunters. The other characters occasionally come off as be ing a little generic, but Baxendale does try to flesh them out a bit, making it vaguely shocking when they are gradually exterminated, although Cutting Edge resembles Cole Train, from the Gears of War Xbox game. 

The Daleks are also well written, and the different font for their dialogue is a nice touch. While Baxendale re-uses a lot of New Series stuff with the Daleks, he also manages to give the story a new spin, and it's a shame that this wasn't used as a TV story, rather than Daleks in Manhattan / Evolution of the Daleks, for example. 

Told at a relentless pace, with the ever crowd-pleasing Daleks, this is certainly one of the strongest, if not the best, of the New Series novels.